January 2025 Policy Update

By Lily Hawkins, Policy Director

CR and Farm Bill Extension

Just before leaving Washington for winter recess, Congress passed a stopgap funding package allowing the federal government to remain running at 2024 levels through March 14, 2025. The bill also included disaster relief funding for producers and a one-year Farm Bill extension set to expire on September 30, 2025. Unfortunately, no funding was provided in the extension for so-called “orphan programs” that lacked baseline funding in the last Farm Bill.

Key organic programs that will not be funded in early 2025 include the Organic Certification Cost-Share, the Organic Data Initiative, and the Organic Certification Trade and Tracking Program.

Fortunately, cost-share funds for 2024 reimbursements should not be impacted. OFA will be working with organic producers to advocate for funding for those organic programs in several upcoming pieces of legislation:

• The final 2025 appropriations package – now due to be completed by March 14
• The next Farm Bill – now due to be passed by September 30
• The 2026 appropriations package – Also Due September 30

Agriculture Committee Changes for the 119th Congress 

Several Agriculture Committee members did not win reelection in November. This includes Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representatives Molinaro (R-NY), Chavez Deremer (D-OR), and Caravejo (D-CO). Krisitin Gillibrand (D-NY) is leaving the Senate Ag Committee for Appropriations, and Mike Braun (R-IN) will leave the Senate after winning the governorship of Indiana. A number of organic champions did retain their seats, including Representative Newhouse (R-WA) and Pingree (D-ME).

The House Agriculture Committee will continue to be led by Chair GT Thompson(R-PA). Angie Craig (D) of Minnesota is replacing David Scott (D-GA) as Ranking Member. Thompson has announced that the following House Republicans are joining the Agriculture Committee:

• Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) 
• Rep. Tony Wied (WI-08)
• Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08)
• Rep. Mark Harris (NC-08)
• Rep. Mark Messmer (IN-08)
• Rep. David Taylor (OH-02)

The Senate Agriculture Committee will be chaired by former Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will serve as Ranking Member. New Committee members include:

• Jerry Moran (R-KS)
• Jim Justice (R-WV)
• Adam Schiff (D-CA)
• Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)

New USDA Appointments

With the change of administration, there will be numerous new appointments at the USDA over the coming weeks and months. Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Agriculture, is scheduled for a confirmation hearing on January 15.